cosmeticize

[ koz-met-uh-sahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, cos·met·i·cized, cos·met·i·ciz·ing.

1. to improve superficially; cause to seem better or more attractive.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cosmeticize¹

First recorded in 1815–25; cosmetic + -ize

Example Sentences

In fact, not since the 1936 Berlin Olympics was used to cosmeticize Nazi Germany's atrocities and promote Aryan superiority have sports and an otherwise despised government collaborated so blatantly to enhance their joint international standings.

From Salon

He holds down a plodding job as a traveling salesman of schoolbooks that cosmeticize the '60s and neglect to mention evolution.

From Time Magazine Archive

Another gap in the record seems to have been designed to cosmeticize Polish antiSemitism.

From Time Magazine Archive